Deadline: 26/05/2016

Task: Co-operative housing for minimum 20 person (young singles or couples). Exercise is to define and solve the space and functional demand of the co-operative way of common living.

Design: There was no site set for the task, so after investigating the area and having some talks with the tutors, a park/small forest was chosen just outside of the town centre. This site was covered in trees, which already sparked the idea of going into the tree house design direction.

The project consists of 4 houses in total, 2 smaller houses of 4 people each and 2 larger houses of 8 people, in total 24 people. All the houses are placed on columns and act as if they are “floating”, all joined by a communal pathway which can be accessed by two sets of stairs or a small elevator. The spaces created underneath closest to the main road are used for public use, such as a small café, a small auditorium and a small exposition area. The others are left for parking and garbage, normal and recycled.

All the façades of the building are made completely from glass, cover and protected by turning slits. The upper slits are independent from the lower ones. The glass has sliding door openings, for ventilation purposes.

The house is divided into two areas, private and common, by stairs to the upper floor and a wall which hides the entrances to the private areas, bathrooms and bedrooms. The common area is left completely open, with a double height. This area is used for many things, it has a permanent kitchen but the rest is designed to be able to adapt to different needs for different situations. Small mobile walls can be placed to section off areas, weather it being for creating a  more private enclosed area for studying or working, or blocking off the kitchen when preparing food. These walls are stored under the stairs. The terrace acts like an extension to the living area, allowing tables and chairs to be brought out. There is also a small entrance, a place for leaving coats, shoes, umbrellas, etc.